SPECIMEN COLLECTION – DEFINITION, PRINCIPLE, Instruction, EQUIPMENT and procedure

SPECIMEN COLLECTION – Definition, Purpose, Principles, Equipment, Procedure for Urine Collection, Urine Culture, Stool-Routine Test and Culture, Sputum Culture, Blood Smear, Blood Culture, Throat Swab, Vaginal Swab/Smear and Urine Testing

UPDATED 2024

DEFINITION

Specimen
collection is defined as collection of a required amount of tissue of fluid for
laboratory examination

Specimen may
be defined as small quantity of a substance, which shows the kind and quality
of the whole

PURPOSE

• To make diagnosis and to help in
  treatment
• To note progress or recess of a
  disease
• To observe the effects of special
  treatment and drugs
• To assess the general health of the
  patient
• To investigate the nature of the
  diseases
• To aid the doctor in diagnosis and
  treating the diseases

PRINCIPLE

• Contaminated and improperly collected
  specimens will produce false results which will adversely affect the diagnosis
  and treatment of patient
• Specimen allowed to stand at room
  temperature of a long time will give false results due to decomposition of
  specimen, multiplication of undesirable bacteria and destruction of pathogenic
  bacteria
• Blood chemistry is not uniform
  throughout the day. It varies with the good intake
• The accuracy and reliability of
  findings depend upon the correct method collection. Transportation of the
  specimens to the laboratory and recording of reports
• Inaccurate results may lead the
  physician in the diagnosis and treatment of patients
• Specimens serve as a media for
  transmission of disease producing organisms to the personnel who handle them
  carelessly

General Instruction

• Provide adequate explanations
  regarding the collection of specimens
• Ask the patient to wash the external
  genital area with soap and water then rinse with water alone before collecting
  urine specimens
• Equipment used for the collection of
  specimens should be clean and dry
• No antiseptic should be present in
  the specimen bottle
• As for as possible morning specimens
  are collected
• Specimens should be always fresh for
  the laboratory examination
• Bacteria multiply in the room
  temperature so, the specimens which are not tested immediately are kept in the
  refrigerator, because cold temperature inhibits the growth of bacteria
• Insist the patient and the personnel
  to wash hands thoroughly after handing the specimen bottles
• Container should have a wide mouth to
  prevent spilling of the specimens, on the outer side of the bottles
• Containers of the proper size are
  used according to the nature of specimen

EQUIPMENT

• Dry container
• Bed
• Sterile gauze
• Artery forceps
• K-Basin

Purpose of Specimen Collection:

1. Types of Specimens:
   • Blood: Commonly collected for laboratory testing to assess various health parameters.
   • Urine: Used for urinalysis to evaluate kidney function and detect certain medical conditions.
   • Saliva: Contains DNA and is often used in genetic testing.
   • Tissues: Biopsy samples are collected for histological examination to diagnose diseases like cancer.
   • Swabs: Used to collect samples from surfaces, body cavities, or wounds for microbiological analysis.
2. Collection Procedures:
   • Sterile Techniques: Depending on the type of specimen, sterile techniques may be necessary to prevent contamination.
   • Proper Containers: Specimens are collected in specific containers designed for the type of sample being obtained.
   • Labeling: Accurate and clear labeling of specimens is crucial to avoid errors in identification.
3. Transport and Storage:
   • Temperature Control: Some specimens require specific temperature conditions during transport and storage to maintain their integrity.
   • Timeliness: Specimens should be transported to the laboratory promptly to prevent degradation or alteration of the sample.
4. Chain of Custody:
   • Documentation: Maintaining a clear chain of custody ensures that the specimen’s handling and transportation are documented accurately, especially in legal and forensic contexts.
5. Safety Precautions:
   • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Healthcare providers and collectors should use appropriate PPE to prevent exposure to potentially infectious materials.
   • Disposal: Proper disposal methods for used collection materials and biohazardous waste are essential.
6. Patient/Donor Instructions:
   • Fasting or Preparation: Some tests may require patients to fast or follow specific instructions before specimen collection.

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